Thailand Live Tuesday 11 Sep 2012

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RT @Porpich: Last year lot of water purifiers were sold most during flood. Better get the good one before flood this year.

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Sinkhole beneath railway track in Lamphun filled

LAMPHUN, Sept 11 - The sinkhole beneath a railway track in Lamphun has been filled and train service is expected to resume today after a safety test.

The work completed last night after about 100 workers and engineers had laboured for three days amid difficulties from continuing heavy rain.

However, train service cannot resume this morning, as soggy soil may not safe. A test run of an empty train is due to be conducted first before the service resumes.

On Saturday, a flash flood caused a sinkhole under the railway track, leaving it dangling in the air and forcing Lamphun-Chiang Mai trains to be halted. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-09-11

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Update:

Sukhothai flood worsens

SUKHOTHAI, Sept 11 – Floodwaters in the provincial seat of northern Thailand’s Sukhothai province continues to rise as the authorities keep working to fill gaps in flood barriers to slow down the water flowing into the city from the Yom River.

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Reports said a fire occurred in a restaurant on the 24/fl CentralWorld on Tue morning. Firefighters are trying to control the fire. (BPost)

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Plodprasop apologizes to Sukhothai residents for unpreventable flood

BANGKOK, 11 September 2012 (NNT) - Chairman of the Water and Flood Management Committee Plodprasop Suraswadi has apologized to Sukhothai residents who have been facing rapid flooding, saying the incident was unpreventable.

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Grand Centara Hotel management said the fire on the 24th floor of CentralWorld was extinguished. There was no damage or casualty. The fire was in a pizza oven. /BPost

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INUNDATION

Plodprasob apologies to Sukhothai residents, as floodwaters stabilise

Sukhothai//Photo : Pongphon Sarnsamak

SUKHOTHAI: -- Flood management chairman Plodprasob Suraswadi on Tuesday apologised to Sukhothai residents affected by the floods, saying he was unaware of the cracks under a cement barrier, which allowed water to flow into the town.

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DDPM is to set up emergency response centers nationwide

BANGKOK, 11 September 2012 (NNT) - The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) is setting up emergency disaster response units in provinces across the country in order to provide speedy assistance to affected residents.

According to DDPM chief Wiboon Sa-nguanpong, the first response unit will be set up at the department’s headquarters. The department is also coordinating with all provincial and district-level authorities in establishing more centers.

The emergency response center in each province acts as a focal point for coordinating disaster relief efforts, which include equipping and dispatching rescue teams and necessity items to disaster victims.

The teams will also closely monitor water levels in rivers and other water retention areas in the province and alert local residents before disasters strike.

DDPM Deputy Director-General Anusorn Kaewkangwan added that in addition to the rising flood level in Sukhothai province, the department is keeping a close watch on the water level in Pasak Jolasid Dam in Lopburi province. Nearby locals have been urged to be prepared for a possible flood.

Residents affected by floods and other natural catastrophes are advised to call the DDPM hotline at 1784 for further assistance.

-- NNT 2012-09-11

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800 Early Warnings to be installed

BANGKOK, 11 September 2012 (NNT) – The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment is preparing to install 800 Early Warnings (flood warning machines) in flood-prone areas throughout the country.

Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Preecha Rengsomboonsuk has stated that 800 more Early Warnings are to be installed in flood-prone areas.

He also explained the meanings of each of the 3 lights showing on the Early Warnings. Green means the water level is normal. Yellow tells the local people to be prepared and keep a watchful eye on the water level. When it turns red, it will require an immediate evacuation.

-- NNT 2012-09-11

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Flood waters rising in four Ayuthaya districts; PM orders quick repairs at high risk dykes, embankments, to prevent repeat Sukhothai incident. /MCOT

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Pattani police searching for evidence in trashing of 7 CCTV cameras on Pattani-Yala Road No. 401 by suspected insurgents. /MCOT

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UNESCO praises Thai government’s tablet policy

BANGKOK, 11 September 2012 (NNT) - The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has praised the Thai government for its one-tablet per child policy, saying technology is important in this rapidly changing world.

According to UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova, her organization is willing to support Thailand in terms of technological development as information and communication technology (ICT) is very important nowadays. Not only is the knowledge on ICT vital to teachers and students but also to everyone. She expressed that tablet PCs should not be used just for education, but also for occupational purposes.

Additionally, the UNESCO has set up a Mobile Education Learning project, using mobile phone as a tool to increase literacy rate. Ms Bokova said around February next year, a meeting will be held among member countries to discuss ways to efficiently use mobile phones as education tools.

During her visit to Thailand, the UNESCO Director-General also attended the annual Asia-Pacific Ministerial Forum on ICT in Education (AMFIE) 2012 in Bangkok; the event was also participated by Education ministers and officials related to education from 24 nations.

-- NNT 2012-09-11

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UPDATE

Cambodia deports Pirate Bay co-founder Gottfrid Svartholm Warg

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/581304-pirate-bay-founder-arrested-in-cambodia/page__st__125#entry5655730

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Shuttle service Don Mueang-Suvarnabhumi airports starts Oct 1

BANGKOK, Sept 11 - Airports of Thailand (AoT), operator of the country’s commercial airports, said Tuesday that shuttle bus services between Bangkok’s two commercial airports will be provided for passengers with connecting flights starting next month.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/583608-shuttle-service-don-mueang-suvarnabhumi-airports-starts-oct-1/#entry5655821

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Anonymous hacker claims credit for huge net takedown

San Francisco - A hacker associated with the group Anonymous claimed credit on Monday for a denial of service attack on internet registrar GoDaddy.com which prevented access to many sites that use the company's servers.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/583497-godaddy-dns-down-hacked-many-sites-will-not-respond/#entry5655840

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OUTBREAK

Worldwide alert for hantavirus following US deaths

Thai News Agency

Health officials are on alert for an outbreak of hantavirus

BANGKOK: -- Suwanchai Wattanyingchaorenchai, deputy director general of the Communicable Disease Control Department, said alerts were also issued by the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) following last week's report by officials at a California park who said up to 10,000 campers could have been exposed to the hantavirus pulmonary syndrome from sleeping in its cabins since June 10.

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Sukhothai adjusts plan to fight flooding

SUKHOTHAI, Sept 11 – Local authorities here have adjusted plans to protect core city and business areas of Sukhothai’s provincial seat after an attempted plugging of a gap in the flood prevention embankment failed to slow down floodwaters from the torrential Yom River.

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Update:

Autopsy shows Pawana drowned

The Nation

NAKHON PATHOM: -- An autopsy showed that former actress Pawana Chanajit drowned in the pond in her house, a senior police officer said Tuesday.

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Road safety campaign to slash Phuket death toll to 50 per year

Phuket Gazette

The remains of a Suzuki Caribian after an accident on Thepkrasattri Road. Photo: Gazette file

Dr Wiwat of the Phuket Health Office said the aim of the campaign was to reduce the number of fatalities on Phuket's roads to 50 a year within three years. Photo: Kritsada Meuanhawong

PHUKET: -- Officials are moving ahead with a campaign to reduce the number of deaths on Phuket’s roads to just 50 per year within the next three years.

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Cabinet extends emergency decree in three southern border provinces except in Pattani s Mae Lan district for another three months /MCOT

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RT @Porpich: 3:33pm via @MatichonOnline Water in Nan river in Phitsanulok keep rising, in Yom river may overflow http://bit.ly/RBhtfS (Thai)

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UNESCO praises Thai government's tablet policy

BANGKOK, 11 September 2012 (NNT) - The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has praised the Thai government for its one-tablet per child policy, saying technology is important in this rapidly changing world.

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Cabinet extends emergency decree in the South for 3 more months

BANGKOK, 11 September 2012 (NNT) - The cabinet today agreed to extend the emergency decree in the three southern border provinces for another three months.

Deputy Prime Minister for Security Affairs Gen Yutthasak Sasiprapa announced that the emergency decree in the southernmost region has been extended by the cabinet for three more months from September 20 until December 19. The extension covers all areas of the three border provinces, except Mae Lan district of Pattani province, where the decree was revoked in 2010 due to the improved situation.

Following the cabinet's decision, Gen Yutthasak elaborated that the violence in the Deep South has subsided but insurgent attacks are still rife in the region; hence the emergency decree remains necessary.

A meeting has also been held between the Fourth Army Region Commander and neutral members of the BRN separatist group, with an aim to mull the setting up of a peace-building committee in the South.

In addition, the cabinet today also agreed to hold a mobile meeting in the southern province of Nakhon Si Thammarat during October 21-23.

-- NNT 2012-09-11

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Thai-German Drug Suspect Caught And Major Drug Seizure Made By Pattaya Police

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Paralympic squad arrive Suvarnabhumi Airport amid warm welcome, motorcade proceeds to Conrad Hotel for govt reception /MCOT

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SET index closed at 1248.32, down 2.61; Bt/USD30.95; GBP49.48; AUD31.87; EUR39.51; CAD31.62; HKD3.98; SGD24.97; JPY39.36

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AoT celebrates Suvarnabhumi's 6th anniversary

BANGKOK, 11 September 2012 (NNT) - Suvarnabhumi Airport is celebrating its 6th year anniversary under the theme “Orchid Blooming” with spectacular floral arrangements set up across the passenger terminal.

Airports of Thailand (AoT) President Somchai Sawasdipol, who chaired the opening ceremony at Suvarnabhumi Airport, said that the celebration is being held in commemoration of the airport’s 6th anniversary on September 28th this year.

As part of the event, floral arrangements made up of a wide variety of orchid species have been installed around the passenger terminal. The biggest orchid arrangement is located at entrance No.5 on the fourth level of the building. The orchid varieties on display are mostly Thailand’s famous species, such as Phalaenopsis Princess Chulabhorn and Queen Sirikit Cattleya.

Passengers and visitors at the airport were given souvenirs during the opening ceremony today. People are also encouraged to participate in the souvenir workshop, which is being organized by the AoT until the end of this month.

-- NNT 2012-09-11

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SOUTH CRISIS

Talks with 80 separatists in South a success: Prayuth

Gen Prayuth

NARATHIWAT: -- A talk between the Fourth Army region chief and 80 separatists in Narathiwat was considered a great success, Army commander General Prayuth Chan-ocha said Tuesday.

The meeting between Lt Gen Udomchai Thammasarorat and members of the RKK group was the result of coordination on both sides that had worked for sometime until the separatists began to trust the authorities.

"The talk had been prepared for a period of time but we could not reveal it to the public. The coordination was done through their families and society. The Army has always opened doors for them," Prayuth said.

He believed the RKK members decided to start talking with the Army because they had seen the gruesome violence of the group. They disagreed with the use of violence, so they tried to surrender to the authorities while the group used all means to prevent them from doing that.

"What we want now is for them to surrender to the authorities while the punishment [they face] will be considered later but will be in line with the law," Prayuth said.

The Army chief confirmed the 80 were the real RKK members, saying checks were done and the results confirmed their status.

-- The Nation 2012-09-11

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Thai London Paralympic medalists return home

BANGKOK, Sept 11 -- Thailand’s Paralympic squad returned home Tuesday, met by a warm welcome en route from Suvarnabhumi Airport to the Conrad Hotel where a government reception was held in their honour.

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Bright Sparks scare Bang Saen residents

By Staff Reporter

BANG SAEN: -- Fireworks from an electricity Transformer lit up the skyline in Bang saen near Pattaya on Monday night.

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